Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004
62 Mr. O’Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made to date with regard to the review of the Good Friday Agreement; the Government’s priorities for the review; the length of time he expects the process to take; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9909/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraSince the review of the operation of the Good Friday Agreement was convened on 3 February 2004, we have had the opportunity to meet with all the political parties elected to the Northern Ireland Assembly. Over the last few weeks, in partnership with the British Government, I have met with the parties on a number of occasions to discuss all aspects of the operation of the Agreement and to collectively examine ways to resolve the outstanding issues. On 9 February, Secretary of State, Paul Murphy MP, and I met with Alliance, Sinn Féin, the SDLP, the DUP and the UUP. In all of our meetings, we discussed a broad range of issues, including institutional matters. However, as the DUP has yet to bring forward its proposals on strands two and three, we have not yet had an opportunity to discuss these matters in detail with them. Secretary of State Murphy also updated me on the strand one meetings that had taken place the previous day.
Following the alleged abduction of a man in Belfast on 20 February, the review meetings on 24 February and 2 March focused primarily on paramilitary activity. Following discussions with all the parties, both Governments asked the Independent Monitoring Commission to bring forward its first report, from July to May, covering all paramilitary activities since its establishment in early January. The commission subsequently indicated that the report would be presented to both Governments in early April. On 9 March, I met with Secretary of State Murphy in Stormont to review developments. On that day, I also met with a DUP delegation and with Mark Durkan, MLA, Leader of the SDLP.
On 26 March, both Governments wrote to the parties, requesting them to submit, by 8 April, further proposals in relation to the operation of the Agreement which they would like to discuss as part of the review process. Both Governments will, in the light of these submissions, make proposals for the time-tabling of further review discussions.
